Guerdon H Stuckey

After a year of controversy over spending by the Department of Water and Power, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called Thursday for the agency's governing board to begin a performance evaluation of its general manager. A letter from Villaraigosa details 37 goals and issues that should be considered in evaluating Ron Deaton, who was appointed to head the DWP in November 2004 by then-Mayor James K. Hahn. "It's a blueprint of what we expect of him," said DWP board member Nick Patsaouras.

After a year of controversy over spending by the Department of Water and Power, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called Thursday for the agency's governing board to begin a performance evaluation of its general manager. A letter from Villaraigosa details 37 goals and issues that should be considered in evaluating Ron Deaton, who was appointed to head the DWP in November 2004 by then-Mayor James K. Hahn. "It's a blueprint of what we expect of him," said DWP board member Nick Patsaouras.

Guerdon H. Stuckey, fired by the mayor last week as general manager of the city Animal Services Department, plans to ask the Los Angeles City Council to reinstate him or at least give him a severance package, his attorney said Monday. Stuckey's attorney, Edward Lear, would not disclose how much of a severance package he is seeking, but two high-level City Hall sources said the ousted manager wants at least 11 months worth of salary plus moving expenses, or about $155,000.

The City Council met in closed session Tuesday to discuss an appeal by Guerdon Stuckey, who was fired by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa last month as general manager of the Animal Services Department. Stuckey has appealed his termination, and his attorney has hinted that he may sue the city. But Stuckey has not yet filed a claim -- a precursor to a lawsuit -- against the city, according to City Clerk Frank Martinez.

The City Council met in closed session Tuesday to discuss an appeal by Guerdon Stuckey, who was fired by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa last month as general manager of the Animal Services Department. Stuckey has appealed his termination, and his attorney has hinted that he may sue the city. But Stuckey has not yet filed a claim -- a precursor to a lawsuit -- against the city, according to City Clerk Frank Martinez.

After months of pressure from animal rights activists, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa fired the head of Los Angeles' Animal Services Department on Thursday, replacing him with the man who held the corresponding job in New York City. The move was praised by some members of Los Angeles' animal welfare community, who said they hoped that the incoming interim general manager, Ed Boks, would bring serious change to a department that kills tens of thousands of stray dogs a year.

The Los Angeles City Council balked Wednesday at reinstating the head of the Animal Services Department despite his argument that the mayor fired him without advance complaints about his performance. Guerdon H. Stuckey needs 10 of the 15 council members to vote to give him his job back, something that appears unlikely. The council took no action Wednesday because some members said they needed more time and information.

Re "Animal house," editorial, Dec. 19 Radical animal activists had little to do with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's decision to replace Guerdon H. Stuckey with Ed Boks as the general manager of the Los Angeles Animal Services Department. In fact, responsible, law-abiding, humane community leaders have been lobbying since the mayor took office in July for a change in administration. We are not radical activists, but hardworking volunteers who spend the majority of our free time and most of our disposable income keeping the homeless animals of Los Angeles safe.

WITH THE MESSY FIRING of Los Angeles Animal Services general manager Guerdon H. Stuckey, the extremist protesters who mounted a demoralizing battle against him got their way, and more. They got an Animal Services Department that will be further weakened and divided by revolving-door leadership. They also stained Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The Animal Defense League-Los Angeles has filed a $3-million claim against the city of Los Angeles, alleging that City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo denied them their right to free speech. If the city denies the claim, the attorney for the group said, he will file a lawsuit. The league has held boisterous protests near the homes of city employees the last few years as part of a campaign to stop the Department of Animal Services from killing animals at city shelters.

The Los Angeles City Council balked Wednesday at reinstating the head of the Animal Services Department despite his argument that the mayor fired him without advance complaints about his performance. Guerdon H. Stuckey needs 10 of the 15 council members to vote to give him his job back, something that appears unlikely. The council took no action Wednesday because some members said they needed more time and information.

The fired Animal Services Department director filed an appeal Wednesday with the Los Angeles City Council, charging that the mayor terminated him to reduce the "political noise" of animal rights extremists, not based on his performance. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa denied Guerdon H. Stuckey's charge. "I removed Mr. Stuckey because he wasn't up to the job," he said Wednesday. The city clerk said the appeal will be on the agenda for the council's next meeting, Jan. 10.